P-1: NEW UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES/MAJORS, OPTIONS, IUGs, AND MINORS; OR NAME CHANGES

P-1 proposals are the basis of Administrative and University Faculty Senate curricular approval and are used to add undergraduate academic programs or change the name of existing programs (including majors, options within majors, IUGs, and minors). P-1 proposals are submitted by academic units to the Senate Committee on Curricular Affairs through their dean (University Park) or the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses.

Administrative approval is required when colleges or campuses propose new majors, options, IUGs, and minors or propose to change the name of existing programs.

Implementation of P-1 proposals may occur the first semester following approval. Students must receive timely notification and will be subject to the requirements in effect at the time of most recent entrance into the program. Students should consult with the head of a program or program committee or their representative to resolve difficulties caused by the curricular change.

P-1 Review and Approval Process

The process for developing new undergraduate degrees/majors, options, IUGs, and minors should begin in the academic unit and adhere to the processes required by that unit. Once unit approval is obtained, the steps listed below must be taken. Program approval times may vary based on unit requirements, consultation, and committee meeting schedules; therefore, these steps should be initiated at least one year in advance of the desired delivery date for the new program.

Preliminary college and disciplinary consultation and consultation between appropriate campus chancellor(s) and the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses

P-1 Proposal Elements for new programs or options:

All new P-1 programs or option proposals must include the following elements and reflect current, localized data and information relevant to several academic and strategic elements. These include, but are not limited to:

A statement of clear, measurable and rigorous program objectives and learning outcomes.

Relationship of proposal to university and college mission.

Program quality indicators such as:

On-going involvement of a minimum of three or more full-time faculty aligned academically and disciplinarily with the program. These faculty may be located at a single campus, or in the case of shared programs, across multiple campus locations;

Program leadership by senior-level faculty;

Ability to move student program cohorts through in a timely manner;

Availability of a sufficient number of program electives within the discipline and in supporting area of study;

University-wide curricular integrity that includes disciplinary community engagement;